Johnson: Claybrooks about to face team he turned down

George Johnson, Calgary Herald11.21.2012

Stampeders defensive line coach DeVone Claybrooks, right, poses with his star pupil, Charleston Hughes, earlier this season. Claybrooks made a decision to turn down overtures from the Toronto Argonauts and remain with the Stamps.

It’s downright difficult, if not virtually impossible, for a guy the size of an SUV, 6-foot-3 and 300 pounds, to successfully play the coy card.

“Uh ... I mean ... I had ... opportunities ... to improve my situation,” stammers DeVone Claybrooks, in that familiar, casual baritone of his, trying (and failing) his very best to look sheepish. “They were there. That’s all I’ll say. But at the end of the day, I decided to stay.

“I’m very proud to be here working for coach Huff.”

By his own contrition, the lack of a definitive response, he all but confirmed an answer to the question:

Yes, departing Calgary Stampeders’ defensive co-ordinator Chris Jones wanted the big man, whose 10-season playing career had wound to close, to join him in a new adventure in Toronto, reimagining the Argos defensive setup.

That the Stamps and Argos are colliding in Sunday’s 100th Grey Cup game only adds another piece of intrigue.

“This,” Claybrooks says now, “was a good situation for me. I’m familiar with the personnel. The guys you’re working with. The organization. The city. The stability of coach Huff being here, being successful, meant a lot. And I do mean A LOT. In this business, so full of people coming and going, there’s not much stability. So in an unstable environment, this is about as stable as you’re gonna get.

“I like that. Who wouldn’t?

“And I haven’t been sorry. It’s been a lot of fun. And very rewarding.”

With the glut of ex-Stamps parading around in Argo double blue these days — GM Jim Barker, Jones, middle linebacker Robert McCune, LB Brandon Isaac, etc., etc., etc. — Claybrooks could so very easily have been another example heading into the touchstone game of the 2012 Canadian Football League season.

“Stamps-east, I guess you could call ’em,” he reckons.

“It’s gonna be interesting when we line up against them, ’cause we know (Jones) is going have a bunch of tricks up his sleeve. He always does. But so will we, so it’ll be fun.”

The years spent working for Jones, he says now, were a solid apprenticeship to transitioning into his present job.

“He was great. Just great. He put you in situations to be successful and as a player, that’s what you’re looking for, first and foremost. You listen to him, you believe what he’s telling you, because he’s been successful. There’s no substitute for that. He’s been to, what, six or seven Grey Cups? So obviously the man knows what he’s doing. There’s a method to the madness.

“Hopefully we can find a chink or two in his armour this week and see what happens from there.”

With Rick Campbell now in overall charge of the defence, Claybrooks helped the D-line fast-track itself up the CFL sack list late in the season and the Stamps into a tie for second. He was always very much the player/coach on the field anyway, a sounding-board, comrade-in-arms and father figure to burgeoning stars like Charleston Hughes. So this new role is a natural extension of his strengths.

The addition of Anwar Stewart, his old Montreal Alouettes’ mate, at rush end has plugged that on-field player/coach void left when Claybrooks retired and served to solidify the entire enterprise.

“From Day 1 of June 30th until now, you’ve got a group of guys that banded together, stuck together, no matter what,” says Claybrooks. “And a great group of kids. That’s the amazing thing. We’ve done a lot of growing up over the course of a few months. With all the turmoil we’ve gone through this year, you don’t see anybody calling anybody out, pointing fingers. With all that stuff going on last week, everybody pretty much threw us under the bus but none of it was even an issue, a distraction, in here.

“We’ve really come together as a group. It’s been great to watch these guys grow as players, understand their potential. And now we’re one win, 60 minutes, away from the ultimate prize.”

Yes, there’s the little matter of a championship to be won Sunday at Rogers Centre. For the Stampeders, not the Argos, as it turns out. And that’s just fine by DeVone Claybrooks. He’s blissfully happy with where he’s at.

Down deep, though, somewhere in the competitive belly of the man, surely there can’t help be some regret that he won’t be out on the carpet himself this weekend, chasing a serpentining Ricky Ray around and clamping those meathooks around a churning Chad Kackert. After all, he’s so shortly removed from playing and these sorts of opportunities don’t come along every day ...

The concept isn’t even halfways out before the big man starts shaking his head. Emphatically.

“No way. No. No. One hundred per cent NO. I can live vicariously through my guys on the line now. That’s enough. As long as they’re gettin’ better, as long as they’re successful, I’m happy.

“So, sheoooot, not at all.” He points over at a protege, Hughes, wandering through the Stampeders’ locker-room.

“Do you know, can you possibly imagine, how sore his body is now, after 20 weeks of playing, of pounding? And ask me how mine’s feeling. Go on, ask me.”

Uh, all right, how’s the body feeling, DeVone?

“Good. Real good.”

A wink. That familiar deep, rich laugh rolls out of him.

“At least” — he nods over at Hughes again — “a lot better than Charleston’s. That much I can guarantee you.”

Comments

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

Saskatoon loves its Christmas lights. The Enchanted Forest draws thousands of vehicles each week. The late Bob Hinitt worked for months building his light display, which drew thousands of cars each year to Wiggins Avenue. And Scott Lambie on Clinkskill Drive has continued the tradition with more than 70,000 dancing lights (up from 50,000 last […]

When it comes to gift giving, they say it’s the thought that counts. But many are wondering if Mayor Drew Dilkens was thinking at all when he gave Olympic superstar Michael Phelps — whose battles with booze are well known — a big bottle of Canadian Club whisky.

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.